If there was any major message that was delivered at the Wednesday evening School Board meeting it was in relation to Provincial Bill 11, Education Statutes Amendment Act which was discussed with MLA Linda Larson.
Chair Marieze Tarr’s stated that; “MLAs are important and Linda Larson is accessible and good at listening but all MLAs have to advocate for their School Districts. The Ministry does not understand that we have been cutting for years. We have already cut $147,000 from this years budget and now the government wants more cuts. We have cut staff and expenses and Linda Larson needs to understand that and advocate for our students.”
In a discussion with Chair Tarr and Trustee Sam Hancheroff after the meeting, the frustration with the provincial ministry’s lack of understanding of the fact that School District #53 has been pro-active in cutting costs came up again; both Tarr and Hancheroff re-stated the importance of MLA Larson getting the Ministry to understand that the District cannot make any more cuts without affecting the progress of our students in some way.
Trustee Rob Zandee presented his Finance and Facilities Report and noted the meeting with MLA Larson as being the first and included the Mayor, Regional Director and Councilllors.
Chair Tarr suggested that this format should be repeated every two years to maintain continuity.
Other items of interest or concern in Zandee`s report were; an update on discussions with BC Corrections regarding provision of educational programs for the new facility when it is operational; a decrease in student enrollment since October 17th 2014 which prompted Trustee Hancheroff to state that lack of jobs and rental properties is partly to blame for this drop; also, there are concern over cuts to adult educational funding.
Student Tyrell Allison attended the meeting with Les Lewis and Helen Gallagher and delivered a Power Point presentation on the ‘Indigenous Youth Career Conference’ held recently in Calgary. Tyrell is the student representative of the Aboriginal Educational Advisory Council and also a very clever power point ‘artist’! The career conference is primarily to introduce aboriginal youth to career opportunities and assist them in deciding what career path appeals to them. Each Career option was represented in a booth where the students could learn about educational requirements and observe the ‘tool of the trade’. The conference provided time for fun such challenging attendees to construct objects using non-traditional methods and materials and also social gatherings in the evenings where the kids were able to bond and make friends. Tyrell stated that his attendance has inspired him to improve his marks and focus on a career in medicine.
Pat Hampson